Former Super Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie, has called on Nigeria’s women’s national team to sharpen their attacking efficiency, despite opening their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a solid victory.
The Nigerian ladies kicked off their Group B journey in dominant fashion, dismantling Tunisia 3-0 with goals from Asisat Oshoala, Rinsola Babajide, and Chiwendu Ihezuo.
However, the scoreline could have been more emphatic had the team been more clinical in front of goal. One notable miss came from veteran defender Osinachi Ohale, who fired over the bar despite facing an open goal.
“It was a convincing win, 3-0, but we had more goals scoring opportunities than we actually scored, we can work on that area,” said Oparanozie, who is serving as a pundit at this year’s tournament, in an interview with Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana.
A four-time WAFCON champion herself, Oparanozie commended the Super Falcons’ overall performance, especially in defence and midfield.
“We dominated the game, our defence was very commanding, we dominated the midfield and even in the attack as well, but those final touches we need to go back to training and make sure we connect those final moments,” the 31-year-old added.
The Super Falcons will now turn their attention to Botswana, who they face in their second group-stage clash on Thursday. Botswana began their own campaign with a narrow 1-0 loss to Algeria on Sunday.
This upcoming fixture will be the second WAFCON meeting between Nigeria and Botswana. The first was at the 2022 edition, also held in Morocco, where the Falcons secured a 2-0 victory.
Nigeria, the most successful team in WAFCON history, are aiming to clinch a 10th continental title, having last lifted the trophy in 2018.
They finished fourth in the previous edition after a 1-0 loss to Zambia in the third-place match.